Following my post from yesterday and a recent event that happened to a family member of mine a couple nights ago, I decided to take a deeper look into what exactly the appendix does. That may sound boring at first, however, current research is showing that the appendix may not be quite the useless organ many thought it to be just several years ago...
What is an appendix?
The appendix is a small, tubular shaped organ, that connects to the cecum. The cecum is a pouch-like structure of the colon, located at the junction of the small and large intestines.
In that past the appendix was thought of mostly as a useless organ that's only use was to make you sick when it gets inflamed and eventually ruptures.
What does it look like?
The appendix itself is not very big. It averages about 9 cm in length but can vary anywhere between 2 and 20 cm in length. The diameter of the appendix is pretty consistent at 7 to 8 mm. The longest appendix ever removed was over 26 cm long, almost 3X the average length.
In general the appendix looks like a worm that hangs off of the large intestine.
The appendix is located in the lower right portion of the abdomen, just above the right hip bone.
What does it do?
This is where things get really interesting. In the past most people thought the appendix was just a useless organ, in fact most thought that at one time long ago it did have a use but over the years humans have evolved to a point that we don't need it anymore. That conclusion was mostly reached by the lack of side effects experienced upon it's removal. Recent research is proving that this may not be the case...
Researchers proposed in 2007 that the appendix may serve as a haven for useful bacteria when illness flushes the good bacteria from the intestines. This was based off of a further understanding of how the immune system supports the growth of beneficial bacteria that emerged in the early 2000's. That, as well as the appendix's location and it's large amount of immune tissue, all helped them to formulate their conclusions.
Plus, research has shown that individuals without an appendix are 4X more likely to have bacterial overgrowth infections than people with one. Because of this, it was concluded that the appendix may act as a safe house for good bacteria. This reservoir acts as a reserve that repopulates the digestive system following an illness.
Why is it important?
As mentioned above, it appears that the appendix is critical in repopulating the digestive system with good bacteria. Without it, harmful bacteria, parasites, fungi, and other critters are allowed to thrive, harming the host. A vast amount of our body's immune system lives in our gut, therefore it also appears that the appendix is critical in keeping our immune system operating at it's optimal level.
With this newly discovered information regarding the appendix's responsibilities, one has to wonder if doctors will try to find some other solution rather than removing the appendix any time it gets inflamed?! Time will tell...
Live well my friends!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendix_(anatomy)
Image Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendix_(anatomy)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendicitis
https://www.pixabay.com
